Acoustic mount

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an acoustic mount for dampening vibrations between two structures mounted or coupled in use to each other. The mount includes a vibration dampening member having a first portion, a neck and a second portion. The second portion has a head. The dampening member has a bore running through the first portion, neck and head to receive a component, such as a fixing member such as a screw, for engaging or coupling to a first one of the two structures. A support member is also described to which a second one of the two structures is secured or coupled in use. The support member has an aperture to receive the dampening member. The dampening member is an integral unit and the head can be passed through the aperture and positioned such that said head resists withdrawal through the aperture. The support member is interposed between the first portion and the second portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Australian ProvisionalPatent Application No 2006905693 filed on 16 Oct. 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an acoustic mount which may be used inapplications where it is desirable to reduce transmission of acousticvibrations from one area to another. The acoustic mount of the inventionmay have applications for example in industrial, automotive or buildingenvironments.

BACKGROUND

Vibrations are transferred between structures, such as walls and thelike, via abutting or connecting points. In the building industry, forexample, external masonry walls are often clad internally with thinnerplaster board walls which are secured at mounting or connecting pointsto the external wall. Noise travels from the masonry wall via theseconnecting points to the plaster board walls and vice versa. A similarsituation occurs internally between adjacent areas or rooms where noiseis transferred by connecting points between internal wall components.Likewise vibrations travel between industrial machinery and its housingsand its mountings, and between automobile engines or other vibrationsources and the vehicle body and vehicle interior via connecting points.

There are products used in the building industry to dampen transfer ofvibrations at connecting points on walls, or between a floor and itssupport structure, or between a structure and a cladding. These productsinclude a resilient sound dampening pad between one structure and abracket that, in use, is mounted to an adjacent structure.

One example mount is that disclosed in Australian patent number 758716.This discloses an acoustic mount assembly comprising three assembledparts; a pad, a bracket and a metal bush. The mount assembly comprisesan acoustic pad with an integral sleeve extending at right angles. Thesleeve has a thread on its external surface. The pad is mounted in anopening on the bracket by screwing the sleeve into the opening. Themetal bush, which comprises a tubular portion and a flange, is insertedinto the rubber sleeve to complete assembly of the mount. The fixingmember, such as a screw, passes through the bush in use.

Another known mount also comprises three parts, a pad with a sleeve, abracket and an annular cap which fits onto the sleeve to complete theassembly after being passed through an aperture in the bracket.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or productsare not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements oradmissions of common general knowledge in the art in Australia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in a first aspect provides an acoustic mount fordampening vibrations between two structures mounted or coupled in use toeach other, said mount including:

a. a vibration dampening member having a first portion, a neck and asecond portion, said second portion comprising a head, and saiddampening member having a bore running through said first portion, neckand head to receive a component, such as a fixing member such as ascrew, for engaging or coupling to a first one of the two structures;and

b. a support member to which a second one of the two structures issecured or coupled in use, said support member having an aperture toreceive said dampening member;

wherein said dampening member is an integral unit and said head can bepassed through said aperture and positioned such that said head resistswithdrawal through the aperture and that said support member isinterposed between said portions.

When used in this specification, including the claims, the term“structure” is intended and is to be interpreted to include not onlystructural elements which are rigid and provide structural strength butalso structures or component elements which are part of a multi-part orcomplex system and through which vibrations can be transmitted but whichdo not necessarily provide any rigidity or serve purposes involvingstructural strength. For example, in suspended ceilings in buildings,ceiling panels or elements can be suspended by rods or wires and theacoustic mount of the invention can be applicable where each of suchrods comprises one of the structures, or perhaps two rods meeting end toend constitute the structures with the acoustic mount interposed betweenthe ends. Other types of structures in the building industry with whichthe acoustic mount of the invention can be used include ceilings,floors, walls (including structural strength walls, infill walls,partition walls), any types of cladding both internal and external e.g.plaster board, villa board.

In one possible embodiment, the aperture of the support member isnon-circular and the head is shaped to pass through the aperture andthen, upon rotation by less than 360°, to resist withdrawal through theaperture.

The first portion may comprise a resilient pad to dampen vibrationtransmission therethrough between the first one of the two structuresand the support member.

In one form, the head may have therein an embedded washer with a centralhole aligned with the bore and the washer resists excessive travel ofthe fixing member through the bore during use of the mount.

In another form, the vibration dampening member may have therein anembedded receiver member that extends between said first portion, neckand said second portion, said receiver member having a central bore thataligns with the bore of the vibration dampening member and a headportion that is received within the head of the second portion of thevibration dampening member, the head portion thereby resists excessivetravel of the fixing member through the bore of the vibration dampeningmember during use of the mount. The vibration dampening member maycomprise a vibration dampening material formed about the receiver membersuch that the receiver member is substantially encapsulated within thevibration dampening material. The vibration dampening material may bemoulded about the receiver member. The vibration dampening material maybe a polymeric material, such as a rubber material, and may be formedabout the receiver member through a process of vulcanisation.

The head may be oblong in shape and the aperture may be correspondinglyshaped. For example, the aperture may be rectangular or generallyrectangular with rounded corners.

The present invention also provides in a second aspect a method ofassembling an acoustic mount comprising a vibration dampening member anda support member, the vibration dampening member being an integral unithaving a first portion, a neck, a second portion and a bore, said secondportion comprising a head and said bore being adapted to receivecomponent such as a fixing member running through said first portion,neck and second portion, and the support member having an aperture,

wherein said method comprises passing said head through the aperture androtating said dampening member less than 360° around the axis of thebore such that said support member is interposed between said first andsecond portions and said head resists separation of the dampening memberfrom the supported member.

The present invention also provides in a third aspect a buildingstructure having means for dampening sound vibrations travelling from afirst structure of the building to a second structure of the buildingwherein said first and second structures are connected at connectingpoints, said building structure having at each of said connecting pointsan acoustic mount for dampening vibrations travelling between the firstand second structures, said mount including:

a. a vibration dampening member having a first portion, a neck and asecond portion, said second portion comprising a head, and saiddampening member having a bore running through said first portion, neckand head receiving a component, such as a fixing member such as a screw,engaging or coupling to said first structure; and

b. a support member to which said second structure is secured orcoupled, said support member having an aperture receiving said dampeningmember;

wherein said dampening member is an integral unit and said head has beenpassed through said aperture and positioned such that said head resistswithdrawal through the aperture and said support member is interposedbetween said portions, wherein said component, such as the fixingmember, extends through said bore to engage or couple to said firststructure, and said second structure is connected to said support memberdirectly or indirectly.

In a preferred use in the building field, the first structure comprisesa structural wall or floor of the building and said second structurecomprises an internal wall or ceiling spaced from and mounted by thestructural wall or floor.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention comprises avibration dampening member, comprising:

a body having a first portion, a neck and a second portion, said secondportion comprising a head and said body having a bore extending throughsaid first portion, neck and head; and

a receiver member embedded within said body so as to extend between saidfirst portion, neck and said second portion, said receiver member havinga central bore that aligns with the bore of the body and a head portionthat is embedded within the head of the second portion of the body.

The body may comprise a vibration dampening material formed about thereceiver member such that the receiver member is substantiallyencapsulated within the vibration dampening material. The vibrationdampening material may be moulded about the receiver member. Thevibration dampening material may be a polymeric material, such as arubber material, and may be formed about the receiver member through aprocess of vulcanisation.

The receiver member may comprise a cylindrical portion that extendstransverse to said head portion so as to extend through said neck andfirst portion of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now bedescribed with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in anddescribed with reference to the drawings are not to be construed aslimiting on the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mount of a first embodiment of the presentinvention assembled with a support member in sectional view and in usein a building.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the vibration dampening member.

FIG. 5 is an underneath plan view of the opposite side of the vibrationdampening member shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the support member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vibration dampening memberpositioned preparatory to assembly with the support member.

FIG. 8 is a view of the vibration dampening member in the direction ofarrow B in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of a mount in exploded view similar toFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of a mount in exploded view similar toFIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a fourth mount for a suspendedsupport system.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of avibration dampening member of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show top and side views respectively of an innerreceiver member of the vibration dampening member of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of vibrationdampening member in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The support member 1 in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 is afurring channel support bracket having hooked ears 3 to which a furringchannel 4 (which is part of a second structure 6 of a building) can becoupled, but may be any other suitable support member. An aperture 2 isprovided in the support member 1.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vibrationdampening member 12 is provided as an integral moulded unit and has afirst portion 14, neck 15 and second portion 16 comprising head 17. Thefirst portion has protuberances 18 that abut with a first structure 5 ofa building to help dampen vibrations. Head 17 has an embedded washer 20and a centrally located bore 19 which runs through the vibrationdampening member 12 and is suitable for receiving a fixing means such asa screw 8 or bolt which passes into the first structure 5 to secure theacoustic mount thereto. The washer 20 provides a hard surface againstwhich the head of the screw or bolt 8 can abut or press when the mountis fixed to a wall or the like 5. Head 17 is generally rectangular withrounded ends and is complementary in size and shape to aperture 2, whichis in the form of a slot.

The aperture 2 in one possible embodiment (not illustrated) is circularand head 17 can be slightly larger than the circular aperture 2 and madeof resilient deformable material to be compressed and forced through theaperture 2 and, upon expansion after being forced through the aperture,resists withdrawal. A mushroom or arrow shaped profile may be suitablefor head 17 in this instance.

Alternatively in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the aperture 2 isnon-circular such as rectangular, triangular or other suitable shapewith acute or rounded angles at its corners. In such case, head 17 iscorrespondingly sized and shaped. When the mount is assembled, thesupport member 1 is interposed between first portion 14 and head 17 ofthe vibration dampening member 12.

The mount shown in the drawings is easily assembled in one process. Head17 is aligned with aperture 2 as shown in FIG. 7 and then passed throughaperture 2 and then rotated 90° so that it resists withdrawal throughaperture 3. The flat side edges 13 of the first portion 14 providevisual confirmation to a person assembling the mount when the head 17 isaligned with the rectangular aperture 2 (FIG. 7) and when the head is at90° to the aperture 2 (FIG. 2).

The vibration dampening member 12 may be made of any suitable materialsuch as rubber or thermoplastic polymer of the required hardness. Thedegree of hardness may depend in part upon the design of the head 17 andcomplementary aperture 2, particularly if compression of the head 17 isrequired to pass it through the aperture, as well as upon the vibrationdampening properties required.

In use, as shown in FIG. 1, the mount comprises the assembly of thesupport member 1 and vibration dampening member 12. The vibrationdampening member 12 is located in position against the first structure5, which may be a structural building wall, and fastener screw 8 ispassed into the bore 19 and driven into the structure 5. As the screw 8is secured into the structure 5, the head of the screw 8 encountersresistance from the embedded washer 20, thereby limiting penetration ofthe screw into the structure 5. The second part of the structure 6 canthen be assembled, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, by engagingfurring channel 4 with the ears 3 of the support member 1. The facingpanel 7 (e.g. plasterboard if internal, or cladding if external) of thesecond part of the structure 6 is mounted to the furring channel 4.

Vibrations, particularly from noise, will be dampened in passing betweenthe first structure 5 and the second structure 6. This is primarily dueto the fact that the acoustic mount comprises the connection pointbetween the first structure 5 and the second structure 6. As can beseen, the support member 1, which is rigidly coupled to the secondstructure 6, has portions of the vibration dampening member 12interposed between the first structure 5 and mounting screw 8. Inparticular, the first portion 14, which is made of resilient vibrationdampening material, is interposed directly between the support member 1and the structure 5. Similarly, the integral enlarged head 17, which iscomposed of the same resilient vibration dampening material, isinterposed between the support member 1 and the fastening screw 8.

It will be appreciated that variations in the details of construction ofthe acoustic mount are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention. As already mentioned, for example, the shape of the head andcomplementary shaped aperture can be varied from the generallyrectangular shape shown in the drawings to other oblong shapes, ortriangular shape, or other non-circular shapes, or to a bayonet likeconfiguration with the head comprising an extension of the neck andhaving one or more projections extending laterally which can passthrough complementary concavities at the profile of the apertureenabling the head to be inserted and then rotated so that theprojections resist withdrawal.

The washer, instead of being embedded in the head in the mouldingprocess of manufacture of the vibration dampening means, could beassembled e.g. by being adhered to the surface of the head with theaperture of the washer aligned with the bore through the vibrationdampening means. The washer could be annular as illustrated or could beoblong in the case of an oblong head.

The acoustic mounts in FIGS. 9 to 11 exemplify other embodiments useablein the building industry.

FIG. 9 shows a different type of furring channel support member 30, asis known in the industry, which has spaced opposed lines of multiplesupport lugs 31 for supporting a furring channel in selectively variablepositions.

FIG. 10 shows an angle support member or bracket 35 having a leg 36which can be mounted by screws etc to a first structure such as astructural wall, and an arm 37 at right angles for supporting orotherwise being coupled to another second structure, e.g. a floor atright angles to the first structure.

In both FIGS. 9 and 10 the vibration dampening member 12 is assembledwith the support 30, 35 as in the first embodiment and functions insimilar manner to isolate or insulate the connected structures fromvibrations being transmitted through the connecting point.

FIG. 11 shows an acoustic mount 40 for a suspension wire or suspensionrod system, e.g. useable for a suspended ceiling system. The vibrationdampening member 12 of the same construction as the first embodiment iscoupled to a support member 41 having a central aperture 42 whichreceives the neck of the member 12. Support member 41 in turn has a wire44 with a loop 45 to couple to a ceiling suspension rod 46. Another wireloop 47 is arranged to couple to upper suspension rod 48. The loop 47has depending arms 49 that pass through the bore 19 and engage withwasher 20. It will be seen that acoustic vibrations will not betransmitted between rods 46 and 48 because of the dampening member 12that is interposed between those rods.

An alternative embodiment of a vibration dampening member suitable foruse in an acoustic mount of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12 asreference numeral 50. As is the case with the dampening member 12 of theembodiment of FIG. 1, dampening member 50 is in the form of single bodyhaving an integral first portion 54, neck 55, and a second portion 56.The second portion 56 is in the form of a head that is shaped and sizedto be passed through an aperture formed in a support member, in themanner as previously described.

The body of the dampening member 50 is formed by moulding a suitabledampening material, such as rubber or a thermoplastic polymer, about aninner receiver member 51, so as to form a member 50 of the desiredshape, as shown. The body of the dampening member 50 thereby comprisesan outer layer 52 of dampening material 52 formed about an innerreceiver member 5 1, with the outer layer 52 and the inner member 51being vulcanised together to form the dampening member 50. In thisarrangement, the inner receiver member 51 is encapsulated within theouter layer 52 such that the member 51 is separable from the outer layer52, only by destruction of the member 50.

The outer layer 52 of dampening material is moulded about the innerreceiver member so as to form the first portion 54, neck 55, and secondportion 56. One or more protuberances may be formed on the surface ofthe first portion 54 to abut with a surface of first structure of abuilding during use. Such an arrangement aids in dampening anyvibrations that may transfer between the first portion 54 and the firststructure of the building.

An alternative arrangement of the dampening member is shown in FIG. 14.In this arrangement, the outer layer 52′ of dampening material ismoulded about the inner receiver member (not shown) to form the body ofthe dampening member 50′. The first portion 54′ is formed such that aplurality of void regions 59′ are formed therein and a plurality ofprotuberances 58′ are formed on the surface thereof. As in thepreviously described embodiment, the protuberances 58′ are provided toabut with a surface of the first structure of the building during use tofacilitate dampening any vibrations that may transfer between the firstportion 54 and the first structure of the building. The protuberances58′ may have rounded ends or the ends may be flat or dimpled, asdesired. The void regions 59′ provided between the protuberances 58′,further aid in this dampening function by reducing the weight andincreasing the flexibility and surface area of the dampening member 50′.It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the dampening member 50′as shown in FIG. 14 may also be employed in the mount arrangements shownin FIGS. 1-11.

The inner receiver member 51 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 13A and13B, and comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 51 a and ahead portion 51 b. The body portion 51 a extends orthogonally from thehead portion 51 b and has a bore 53 formed therein that extends throughthe body portion 51 a and the head portion 51 b as shown in FIG. 13B.Whilst the body portion 51 a is shown as having a substantially circularbore 53, it will be appreciated that other bore 53 shapes are alsoenvisaged.

Referring to FIG. 13A, the head portion 51 b has a substantiallyrectangular shape with a plurality of through-holes 57 providedtherethrough. The shape of the head portion 51 b of the inner receivermember 51 generally determines the shape of the second portion 56 of thedampening member 50. In this regard, the outer layer 52 of dampeningmaterial is moulded about the head portion 51 b. The provision of thethrough-holes 57 improves bonding between the layer of dampeningmaterial and the receiver member 51.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the dampening member 50 is formed by mouldingthe outer layer 52 of dampening material about the inner receiver member51, the bore 53 of the inner receiver member 51 extends through thedampening member 50. As the inner receiver member 51 is made from arigid metal or plastic material, the structural integrity of thedampening member 50 is significantly greater than that described in theprevious embodiments. This is particularly so in those regions proximalthe bore 53 and outer surface of the second portion 56, which are indirect contact with the fastening members that couple the first andsecond structures of the building. As such, the dampening material isable to experience significant forces without the rubber, or other suchdampening material collapsing or deteriorating under load.

It will be appreciated that the dampening member 50 will be employed ina building or the like to dampen vibrations between structures in themanner as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 11, or any other such manner.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features,steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted toexclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/oradditions may be made to the features of the possible and preferredembodiment(s) of the invention as herein described without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An acoustic mount for dampening vibrations between two structuresmounted or coupled in use to each other, said mount comprising: avibration dampening member having a first portion, a neck and a secondportion, said second portion comprising a head and said dampening memberhaving a bore defined therein running through said first portion, neckand head to receive a fixing member for engaging or coupling to a firstone of the two structures; a support member to which a second one of thetwo structures is secured or coupled in use, said support member havingan aperture defined therein to receive said dampening member; and saiddampening member being an integral unit and said head being passablethrough said aperture and positioned such that said head resistingwithdrawal through the aperture and said support member being interposedbetween said first and second portions.
 2. The mount of claim 1 whereinsaid aperture is non-circular and said head is shaped to pass throughsaid aperture and then, upon rotation by less than 360°, to resistwithdrawal through the aperture.
 3. The mount of claim 1 wherein saidfirst portion comprises a resilient pad to dampen vibration transmissiontherethrough between the first one of the two structures and the supportmember.
 4. The mount of any one of claims 1, wherein said head hastherein an embedded washer with a central hole aligned with the bore andthe washer resists excessive travel of the fixing member through thebore during use of the mount.
 5. The mount of claim 1, wherein thevibration dampening member has therein an embedded receiver member thatextends between said first portion, neck and said second portion, saidreceiver member has a central bore defined therein that aligns with thebore of the vibration dampening member and a head portion that isreceived within the head of the second portion of the vibrationdampening member, the head portion thereby resists excessive travel ofthe fixing member through the bore of the vibration dampening memberduring use of the mount.
 6. The mount of claim 5, wherein the vibrationdampening member comprises a vibration dampening material formed aboutthe receiver member such that the receiver member is substantiallyencapsulated within the vibration dampening material.
 7. The mount ofclaim 6, wherein the vibration dampening material is moulded about thereceiver member.
 8. The mount of claim 7, wherein the vibrationdampening material is a polymeric material, and is formed about thereceiver member through a process of vulcanisation.
 9. The mount ofclaim 1 wherein said head is oblong in shape and said aperture iscorrespondingly shaped.
 10. A method of assembling an acoustic mount,comprising: providing a vibration dampening member and a support member,the vibration dampening member being an integral unit having a firstportion, a neck, providing a second portion and a bore defined therein,said second portion comprising a head and said bore being adapted toreceive a component running through said first portion, neck and secondportion, and the support member having an aperture, passing said headthrough the aperture and rotating said dampening member less than 360°around the axis of the bore such that said support member is beinginterposed between said first and second portions and said headresisting separation of the dampening member from the supported member.11. A building structure having means for dampening sound vibrationstravelling from a first structure of the building to a second structureof the building wherein said first and second structures are connectedat connecting points, said building structure having at each of saidconnecting points an acoustic mount for dampening vibrations travellingbetween the first and second structures, said mount comprising: avibration dampening member having a first portion, a neck and a secondportion, said second portion comprising a head, and said dampeningmember having a bore defined therein running through said first portion,neck and head receiving a component engaging or coupling to said firststructure; a support member to which said second structure is beingsecured or coupled, said support member having an aperture definedtherein for receiving said dampening member; said dampening member beingan integral unit and said head having been passed through said apertureand positioned such that said head resisting withdrawal through theaperture and said support member being interposed between said portions,and the component extending through said bore to engage or couple tosaid first structure, and said second structure being connected to saidsupport member directly or indirectly.
 12. A building structure asclaimed in claim 11 wherein said first structure comprises a structuralwall or floor of the building and said second structure comprises aninternal wall or ceiling spaced from and mounted by the structural wallor floor.
 13. A vibration dampening member, comprising: a body having afirst portion, a neck and a second portion, said second portioncomprising a head and said body having a bore defined therein extendingthrough said first portion, neck and head; and a receiver memberembedded within said body so as to extend between said first portion,neck and said second portion, said receiver member having a central boredefined therein that aligns with the bore of the body and a head portionthat is embedded within the head of the second portion of the body. 14.A vibration dampening member according to claim 13, wherein the bodycomprises a vibration dampening material formed about the receivermember such that the receiver member is substantially encapsulatedwithin the vibration dampening material.
 15. A vibration dampeningmember according to claim 14, wherein the vibration dampening materialis moulded about the receiver member.
 16. A vibration dampening memberaccording to claim 15, wherein the vibration dampening material is apolymeric material, and is formed about the receiver member through aprocess of vulcanisation.
 17. A vibration dampening member according toclaim 13, wherein the receiver member comprises a cylindrical portionthat extends transverse to said head portion so as to extend throughsaid neck and first portion of the body.